The Inevitable 2016 Pros Switching Sponsors Thread

[DiscJunkie]

You are correct, I called them the parent company because those companies are the ones with the manufacturing facilities. As far as I know, while all of the other companies are independent, none of them manufacture. I could be wrong though. That means that while they have their own lines of discs, they are getting them when Innova, Discraft, and Latitude make them.

I'd be interested to know who actually designes the molds used? Is it colaborative, or does one partner or the other have more control? The business model is also interesting. If you are the manufacturer, why create discs for another company? I see some advantages in having a competitive market, but most companies don't do this.

Here is what I have heard:
Innova is in "partnership" with Millennium and Discmania.
Innova owns the molds and Mill and DM dictate what molds are used and what they are called. For example, the Shark top and Stingray bottom make the AuroraMS.

 

[Flick Maniac]

Thats the impression I have too. Although it is not quite as cut and dry as slapping different tops with different wings. There are also "tweaks" done, although I am not quite sure what they are in practice. Spacers, bead modification, etc.?

 

[smyith]

Eagle by my guess will be closely following behind him.

When I played with him about a month ago that's what he made it sound like his goal was. Can't remember which non dm he was throwing but I know there wasn't many. And that kid has so much physical development left to go, when his muscles finally catch up to his growth he is going to be a freaking monster.

 

[Jenga54]

When I played with him about a month ago that's what he made it sound like his goal was. Can't remember which non dm he was throwing but I know there wasn't many. And that kid has so much physical development left to go, when his muscles finally catch up to his growth he is going to be a freaking monster.

Has been throwing the Innova Max, but sounds like it'll be gone soon. May have had a Gator in there too for a while.

 

[cjdiscgolf]

Innova molds DM and Mill.
Discraft molds DGA. Have you ever looked at the bottom of a reef? It literally says "APX by discraft"
Lattitude molds Trilogy.

Why is this so hard to understand?

 

[lyleoross]

Here is what I have heard:
Innova is in "partnership" with Millennium and Discmania.
Innova owns the molds and Mill and DM dictate what molds are used and what they are called. For example, the Shark top and Stingray bottom make the AuroraMS.

Sweet! Thanks!

 

[lyleoross]

For clarification: Scott won't be playing or hosting 400 events himself.

MVP is very popular with the 'kids', and company sponsored ace, birdie, 2 disc and 3 disc challenge tourneys are popular as well. So an MVP circuit with a bigger push could conceivably hit the 400 mark. 200-300 is more realistic.

I didn't think he would, honest.

I also didn't realize how many of these micro events were going on these days; that'll teach me not to look first.

Thanks!

 

[lyleoross]

Here is what I have heard:
Innova is in "partnership" with Millennium and Discmania.
Innova owns the molds and Mill and DM dictate what molds are used and what they are called. For example, the Shark top and Stingray bottom make the AuroraMS.

I always like the use of the term "partnership" in business. When one company holds all the assets, and the other is a retailer with their own branding, is that a partnership? I often think of Dunipace and Kenner at Discraft as fairly generous businessmen because of their willingness to share their expertise with smaller producers. I know it helps their footprint, but still....

 

[lyleoross]

Innova molds DM and Mill.
Discraft molds DGA. Have you ever looked at the bottom of a reef? It literally says "APX by discraft"
Lattitude molds Trilogy.

Why is this so hard to understand?

It isn't, the question, a non-essential one in reality, is what is the actual working relationship? Why do Innova and Discraft take on smaller "partners" and produce for them? Most corporations don't do this, or at least they don't do it in this fashion. I'm pretty sure that the Millennium DGA relationships were based on long term relationships in the sport. In part, due to DGA's generosity in giving up control of the sport to make it non-profit, and non-connected to a producer (I admit I don't really know much of the detail here), I wonder if they didn't build a relationship with Discraft. It's just history, and that interests me.

 

[Jenga54]

It isn't, the question, a non-essential one in reality, is what is the actual working relationship? Why do Innova and Discraft take on smaller "partners" and produce for them? Most corporations don't do this, or at least they don't do it in this fashion. I'm pretty sure that the Millennium DGA relationships were based on long term relationships in the sport. In part, due to DGA's generosity in giving up control of the sport to make it non-profit, and non-connected to a producer (I admit I don't really know much of the detail here), I wonder if they didn't build a relationship with Discraft. It's just history, and that interests me.

large companies DO do this though - they make a product, sell what they can, and sell more to a competitor and let them sell it to the exact same market. it's in my business, and many other businesses too.

ever bought a GMC, or a Chevy?

 

[Cgkdisc]

As I understand it, the DGA/Discraft relationship came about because Steady Ed knew he had to also be selling the "razor blades" not just the "razors" or he would fall behind selling just targets. So he sought Discraft to make DGA a line of discs and he supplied Discraft with targets.

The Millennium offshoot was originally a Houck and Harold creation to market a premium line of discs like Mercury was to Ford.

 

[lyleoross]

large companies DO do this though - they make a product, sell what they can, and sell more to a competitor and let them sell it to the exact same market. it's in my business, and many other businesses too.

ever bought a GMC, or a Chevy?

Not the same thing, GMC and Chevy are owned by one corporation and presumably hit different segments of the market. Parts suppliers sell to multiple companies, but there is no branding. Apple tried something like this once, and quit. There's no question that the Chinese manufacturers do multiple companies, but they don't own the brands (boy are some American companies learning hard lessons from that). When there is branding involved, I don't see it happen unless the "parent company" owns the other brand as well.

 

[lyleoross]

As I understand it, the DGA/Discraft relationship came about because Steady Ed knew he had to also be selling the "razor blades" not just the "razors" or he would fall behind selling just targets. So he sought Discraft to make DGA a line of discs and he supplied Discraft with targets.

The Millennium offshoot was originally a Houck and Harold creation to market a premium line of discs like Mercury was to Ford.

Thanks! The Steady Ed thing makes sense. Given the approach Innova seems to have taken, the Millennium angle makes sense. I'm not sure it worked though. When I think premium discs, I tend to think Discraft. Not sure why....

 

[DiscJunkie]

As far as disc golf company business relationships go, these are all private companies, so they have no obligation to divulge the nature of their business relationships with each other.
Apart from a few sponsored players that have been forthcoming about their sponsorship deals on DGCR and SmashBoxx and a few other sources, we really know relatively little about the scope and nature of the sponsorships either.
But hey, speculation is fun - as long as you realize that it is merely speculation.

 

[Rob Martin]

So, is the Paige Pierce leaving Prodigy thing not happening?

 

[Jenga54]

So, is the Paige Pierce leaving Prodigy thing not happening?

What were we talking about again?

 

[Javy818]

Super Dave jumped ship from Trilogy to Legacy.

 

[OB Four]

I'm under the impression Jared Roan has been dropped from Innova. Can't confirm yet, but he is selling team stamped discs, which is a no-no for sponsored players.

 

[OB Four]

Actually, as I'm looking at the innova page, looks like there's been a recent update.. looks like Patrick Brown has been dropped also

 

[bogeyfreetilinfinity]

As in Dave Feldberg?